My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with

is so pretty,

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake

candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately

must sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her eyes and make a

blow out the

her head to indicate to Julian that

candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a

wasn’t even at table

a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the

thank you!” their parents

paper plates, the children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community

streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in

with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now

me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was

then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since

turned and headed toward

she was inside her apartment

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a

up, Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by

out on business?

into the house and shut the door before surveying

been getting along fine

took two steps back. Why are you

as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

were like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

he approached her, forcing

Rachel had no idea what she

and pulled, she staggered